章 12: Crazy Idea: Vincent
"Are you sure?"
"Never have been surer in my whole life."
The idea is super crazy as it is, but my Secretary's scared voice made me realize how foolish and absurd it is for me to postpone my meetings and to clear up my schedule for lecturing a business major class.
"Good Afternoon, students." I coughed a bit before greeting my students while roaming my eyes all over the classroom. That action had two motives; one- for measuring how many students were present for the lecture and two- was for a few familiar faces that I thought I would see. I did not take much time to find the two pairs of eyes almost glaring at me. One was shocked and another was very animated.
Some of my students already knew who I was so it was easier that way, I did not need to start my class with a heavy introduction which I hate the most.
"Dear students, for today's class, I will be the guest lecturer as you can see your course professor kindly asked me for a favor to help students get their motivation to study in a very practical way. I am Vincent Lee, a businessman and that will be enough information for all of you present in the class as I have heard a saying people are known by the name they make but not by the name they are given."
I smiled a bit as a signal to let the murmuring sound die down. I know why they were creating that sound but it was least necessary for me right now. I know it was not my first time taking a class as a guest teacher at my university nor do I have the gut to say I did not accept the invitation to take some lectures this semester on purpose just when my quick-witted secretary helped me find all the whereabouts of Rose Bennett. I did confirm if she was a student and if I'm not wrong she is also the creator of a fashion brand. But above all, my duty as a lecturer shouldn't be caught up with my personal feelings.
Hell yeah, I wanted to look at those sharp almond eyes. Not because they looked magnificent, but because it felt like someday I would get to see the real self of that person behind that regular using contact lenses.
The class went pretty smoothly as Rose remained silent. Her eyes never left for elsewhere except the lecturer and his lectures. It was hard not to linger my stares at their delight. Fortunately, none of my other students noticed as they were looking quite invested and satisfied with my appearance. Perhaps, I was born to have a talent for teaching which led me to have a passion for it.
But I also knew my one impulsive act could be news in a magazine.
"Miss Alice Kimberly. Please stop by my office before the lunch break," I needed to make my acts a bit discreet and I might need her in this regard.
….
"They probably assumed I wasn't attentive at all, now you make me look like a fool," if rolling eyes in 360 degrees were possible, Alice would have done it already.
"The company beside you did not seem to be interested at all, let alone the class." I heaved a breath.
"Did you just call me an unimportant fellow in my class?"
"Nope, but you are anything but the center of attention," I shrugged.
"Look, Vinny. I am not a petty person but if this goes on I might even complain about it to Uncle."
She wanted to gain a reaction but I am very much used to her empty threats. Alice likes to blackmail me but never actually executes her evil plans.
"Sure, but if you desire my discreet act then first restrain from calling me by nicknames inside your campus."
"Oof, that smile! Do you think I want this? Who even told you to suddenly accept this kind of favor and come to teach people instead of taking care of your company? There must be some reason behind it, right?"
That knowing gaze of Alice hooked me up a little. But it was hard for me to explain the reason to her, to anyone.
"It's refreshing to do unusual things. But I'm not fully clueless, it's good for my public image too," I tried to sound reasonable enough.
Nor that it helped.
"Yeah, sure! Vincent Lee cares about his public image! Huh! What a joke…Go fool someone else!"
"Okay! I won't fool you anymore but don't make me repeat it to you, concentrate on your classes more."
Alice was the mini version of Annabelle. If Annabelle isn't around, it will always be Alice who gets the thoughts inside my mind accurately. Well, I do not wish both of these ladies to lose their ability to get me as I somehow feel loved by them a lot.
Maybe I do give a vibe of a loner like my elder brother but genuinely I never liked being alone. And somehow looking at those blade-like black contact lenses makes me feel so lonely and out of this world that I can not help the urge I feel to keep her as my company just beside me so that she can never leave my side. And I will never feel like I am alone.
"You and your bossy orders. To hell with them… hmph..!"
Alice took her backpack and opened the office door to find someone thrown over her body. That someone was none other than Rose. Rose Benett. That very woman who acts so indifferent and yet got caught for perhaps… eavesdropping?
"Rosie? Did Mr. Lee call for you too?" Alice was clueless yet her question was very innocent and also quite reasonable.
"Umm…"
"Did I?"
Finally, we locked eyes. Damn, I just want her to remove those stupid contacts of hers. I never even desired to see a naked woman in my whole life and yet I am so desperate to see her eyes naked.
No matter how crazy I sounded to myself, I knew that to an extent she was able to make my attention fixated on her.
"Yes, I mean no... I needed to ask something regarding today's class," she stammered, just for a second.
"Did you?" Alice asked but seemed like she did not give much thought to her behavior. "Then let me excuse myself."
As soon as Alice left the room, I couldn't help but speak out first.
"I do not provide anyone any extra lessons outside classes, so every student is free to ask anything about the class to me, including you Miss Rose. You don't need to eavesdrop on that."
I tried not to sound amused but could not help my smile. This icy woman does know how to act tactless once in a while, huh?
"I wasn't eavesdropping," she interrupted.
"Oh? Did you not? Then why did it feel like you stumbled upon the door when it was open? Well, not that it helped you as this room is sound-proof."
I did my best not to look like I was having fun she was right there staring daggers at me as if she wasn't, as if she was just standing there in her usual composure.
"So… what is that you wanted to ask about?" Something not related to her lessons I hope?
Her gaze did not shift, and neither did mine. As if my question did not reach her at all. Then, she decided to move.
"I found it quite difficult to understand a few parts from today's class…," she said.
So it was about her studies all along? And I just made myself a fool thinking about what she might be wanting to ask.
"Well, show me then."
Anyone could guess the disappointment caught up in my voice. Of course, she did too. It was silly for me to imagine her striking up the topic by herself. And to my surprise, I realized I went through all this just to get to fathom the real her and ended up circulating the same point over and over.
"You are not faking it, are you?" When I almost lost my urge to probe into this topic anymore, she let her voice out while handing out the notebook where she wrote her problems. She did pay attention to the class much more than any other from there. But she still managed to eradicate my disappointment quite fast.
"Why do you think that?" I replied, being a bit amused.
"Just felt like that's your thing," she shrugged. Or she just pretended to. If only she is generally as much as carefree she looks right now.
"Hmmm… but at least I don't act like an employee of my own company." The shrugged reaction was given back to me well.
It was easy to guess which company I was talking about. Rose is good at clearing spots, I must say, although I am pretty good at digging the deed out by myself.
I do not know what kind of connection she has with KIV, but I do know what she has with Fleur-de-lys.
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